Many trucking, freight broker, and process agent companies are familiar with the requirement to engage a Process Agent, but may not know exactly what they do. A Process Agent is an individual or company that receives legal papers, such as wage garnishments and subpoenas, for corporations. They are also responsible for filing important state mail, such as service of process notices with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration).

Companies must designate a Process Agent in all states in which they operate, per regulations set by the FMCSA. They can either designate an in-house process agent or hire a blanket company that has Process Agents in all 50 states. Blanket companies provide a list of process agents to choose from and each one has their own office in the state where they are domiciled. A company must select one from each state for which it needs a process agent and retain a copy of the form at its principal place of business.

Process Agents for Foreign Corporations: Meeting Legal Requirements Abroad

When choosing a Process Agent, it’s important to consider their location and reputation. The Process Agent’s street address is made public and they must be available to receive legal papers at all times during normal business hours. A good Process Agent is reliable, prompt, and cost effective. They should have expanded service hours and proven infrastructure so that they can deliver notifications to their clients promptly, even if they are in the middle of a commercial deal that is time-critical.